AAF Seattle Welcomes 2025–2026 Board of Directors: Igniting a New Era of Connection, Recognition, Service & Growth
We’re thrilled to introduce the 2025–2026 AAF Seattle Board of Directors, an inspiring group of creative professionals, educators, strategists, and entrepreneurs dedicated to advancing the local advertising and marketing community.
The American Advertising Federation Seattle (AAF Seattle) is proud to introduce its incoming Board of Directors for the 2025–2026 term. With a dynamic mix of returning leaders and new voices from across the region’s creative, media, higher education, and marketing industries, this board is set to champion a revitalized vision for the organization centered on connection, recognition, service, and growth.
Following a year of strategic reactivation, celebrated programming, and a surge in community engagement, AAF Seattle is entering a new chapter, one that invites the entire creative ecosystem to come together, get inspired, and shape the future of advertising in the Pacific Northwest.
“We are excited and energized,” said AAF Seattle Board President Valentina Gomez Bravo. “This new board is built on experience, passion, and a deep belief in the power of community. Together, we’re focused on elevating voices, sparking collaboration, and growing a space where creatives at every stage of their journey can thrive.”
Meet the 2025–2026 AAF Seattle Board of Directors
This year’s board reflects a remarkable mix of creative professionals, brand leaders, educators, strategists, and community builders, all committed to reimagining what AAF Seattle can be. From award-winning executive creative directors to fast-rising entrepreneurs and industry mentors, this group brings energy, heart, and a shared dedication to strengthening Seattle’s advertising and creative ecosystem.
Valentina Gomez Bravo – President
Executive Creative Director, University of Washington | Author | Speaker | Educator | Entrepreneur
An award-winning creative strategist and DEI champion, Valentina leads AAF Seattle with a vision rooted in empowerment, transformation, and community. With over 22 years of industry experience and eight ADDY Awards to her name, she believes in building conscious, purposeful brands and communities with intention and heart.
Lucas Rose – Treasurer
Sales Assistant, Pacific Outdoor Advertising
Lucas brings a grounded and joyful energy to the board, helping manage operations and finances. His experience spans national and local brand work in out-of-home advertising, and he’s a proud supporter of teamwork, softball, Seinfeld, and the 49ers.
Cindy Pennington – Executive Director / American Advertising Awards Co-Chair
Owner, Bayview Support
The longest-serving member of AAF Seattle, Cindy has led the organization’s operational backbone for over 25 years. In addition to serving as Executive Director, she co-chairs the ADDY Awards and represents District XI. Her institutional knowledge and steady hand continue to be essential to AAF Seattle’s success.
John Line – Membership Director
Managing Director, Copacino Fujikado
With a resume spanning top agencies like Ogilvy, VML, and 360i, John brings senior leadership and operations expertise to AAF Seattle’s membership strategy. He’s passionate about fostering connection, trust, and partnership within the local creative economy.
Dan Vanderhei – Advertising Education Director
Creative Director, Dvdh
Dan is a seasoned creative leader focused on clarity, storytelling, and mentorship. With 15+ years guiding major brands like Xbox and Acura, he’s revitalizing AAF Seattle’s education programs to support emerging talent and bridge generational knowledge gaps.
Maria Schnepf – Social Media Director
Social Strategist, GreenRubino
Maria brings a holistic, data-informed, and compassionate approach to social strategy. From early involvement with AAF as a student to now leading social campaigns for clients across sectors, she’s committed to building an inclusive, engaged creative community online and off.
Andy Farnum – Board Member / American Advertising Awards Co-Chair
Marketing Project Manager, Inviso Marketing – Microsoft
A Seattle-based tech marketing leader, Andy has spent 15+ years navigating global brand work at the intersection of business, cloud technology, and design. A Microsoft-certified AI engineer and RISD alum, he brings an interdisciplinary lens to every challenge.
Andres Rodriguez – Communications Director
VP of Strategy, C+C
Andres is a bilingual strategist focused on multicultural marketing, purpose-driven storytelling, and impactful campaign development. With deep expertise in public health and corporate narratives alike, he helps shape AAF Seattle’s messaging with nuance and intent.
Thomas Ackels – Government Affairs Director
CEO, Co-Founder & Producer, Offbeat Films
Thomas is an award-winning filmmaker and advocate who brings creative energy and civic focus to the board. As a storyteller, entrepreneur, and community connector, he leads AAF Seattle’s renewed engagement in local and national government affairs.
Heather Alabado – Brand & Marketing Director
Creative Director / Director, Heatshe.com
Heather is a multidisciplinary creative force, having led branding and post-production work for major brands like Microsoft, Amazon, and Pokémon. Her work has been featured by AdWeek and IDN Magazine, and she brings her artistic eye to AAF Seattle’s brand expression.
Kate Zavitnevich – Events Co-Director
Head of Client Services & Growth, HRVIST
Kate is a strategic connector and recruiting expert in the creative industry. Through HRVIST, she helps pair top talent with exciting opportunities, and through AAF Seattle, she’s crafting events that spark connection, magic, and momentum.
Kelly Lanes – Events Co-Director
Co-Founder, Fuze the Agency | Marketing Expert | Entrepreneur | Author | Podcaster
Kelly is a bold, purpose-driven marketing powerhouse. Known for helping brands break the mold and do “business unusual,” she leads with charisma, insight, and unapologetic creativity. She’s also a dynamic speaker, podcast host, and advocate for the next generation of creatives.
Join Us , We’re Building This Together
AAF Seattle is 100% volunteer-led and powered by people who believe in the future of our industry. And we want you to be part of it.
Whether you’re ready to take on a leadership role, lend your skills as a volunteer, serve on a committee, or simply show up to your first event, there’s a place for you in this community.
Now Accepting 2015-16 Board Nominations
Each year at this time, our board goes through a transformation process as some directors move on to new challenges, and new faces arrive to take their place. We know who's leaving, but we need to find the brave souls who are ready to step up and do the job.
Our openings for the 2015-2016 board year include the following positions:
- Communications Director
- Government Relations Director
- Programs Director
- Sponsorship Director
- Treasurer
- Vice President
If you're interested, first read the position description, then fill out and submit your application by 6 PM on Monday, May 11, when we'll review all submissions and contact interested parties.
Board Position Descriptions (.pdf)
Board Application (.dotx)
Nominations will be announced Wednesday, May 20th and submitted to AAF Seattle's membership for approval. A member-approved slate of directors will be announced to the public on Monday, June 1st.
Western Regional Conference Roundup
Your trusty board recently took Reno by storm in hopes to double our revenue and advertising brain power at the AAF Western Regional Conference. Now that they've all recovered from the whirlwind of experts, seminars, buffets and lounge singers, we asked them to share their thoughts and things they learned at the conference.
AAF Seattle board and friends
Martin McGee, President
What I wanted to get out of this conference was to network with other clubs in the region to see what is and is not working for them. I want to get ideas to implement in Seattle and possibly provide ideas for other clubs to try.
My priorities coming out of this conference are around planning for the club—both short and long term. While the club has goals identified for the current year, I would like to develop a multi-year strategic plan.
The ever photogenic Martin
Mark Kurtz, Diversity & Multiculturalism
AAF Seattle is a force in the Western Region. We have the foundation in place to grow. The landscape of the term "advertising" is expanding to include many forms of marketing and we need to flexible in order to cater to the needs of our members.
This conference reinforced the responsibility we have as advertising and marketing professionals to elevate our work to the highest level. Numerous examples were given throughout the conference that rely on the many skill-sets that AAF Seattle represents—especially around creative storytelling and how to connect audiences to those key messages in a meaningful and relevant way. The collective work that our members produce has the ability to impact billions of people and this is a great industry to represent.
Mark puts his lucky charm to the test
Charlotte Boutz, Vice President & Programs
I love to hear what other clubs are doing—both their success stories and their challenges. Each market is so different, so clubs approach serving their communities differently, but there’s still a lot to learn and share.
The Reno team did a great job producing “bonus” content that was not directly related to the business of the organization, but helped open our minds and keep the energy level up. I was especially inspired by the team at Goodby Silverstein & Partners sharing the NBA Jingle Hoops campaign, and Jonathan Woytek from Pereira & O'Dell on the Skype Stay Together campaign. Beyond the concept development, which was incredibly powerful in both cases for different reasons, the creative problem solving that these teams pulled off throughout the production processes was jaw dropping. What a fun pair of reminders of why we’re in this business, and what it takes to tell a good story well.
Charlotte enjoys the Reno nightlife
Audrey Berglund, American Advertising Awards
I always look forward to networking with other ADDY chairs and figuring out best practices based on their experiences. It’s a great place to share ideas and gain support.
This conference served as a great kickstart to this year’s American Advertising Awards. I got a lot accomplished in the way of event timeline, budgeting and committee building. I definitely have a plan of attack moving forward and am set up to run effective committee meetings.
Audrey strikes up a convo with the locals
Cindy Pennington, Executive Director
I want our membership to know that your elected board desires to learn more about growing and promoting the advertising industry in Seattle. They want AAF Seattle not just be relevant to the agencies, but to the businesses, vendors and clients in the Seattle area.
Cindy takes in the sights
Nik Amar, Advertising Education
I got some great ideas for programs from other clubs. It's a priority for me to work with the board to create greater, more bombastic membership drives, considering how essential membership is to the survival of our club.
Our club is large and diverse in membership and behavior. Members can take an active role in our club’s future through regular attendance and simply meeting and suggesting things to the board (not to mention volunteering).
Nik explores Reno's culture
Open Committee Positions
Believe it or not, your beloved club doesn't run on fairy glitter and sun beams. And even though your fearless board leaders put in a fair share of blood, sweat and ugly cry tears, they still couldn't make AAF Seattle operate without the help of volunteers.
Whether you're looking to network, puff up your portfolio and resume, or fulfill your court ordered volunteer hours, we've got plenty of open spots to feed your ulterior motives. Bonus: you get to hang with the best dang ad folks this side of the Snoqualmie Pass.
Check out our positions and if you're interested, send us an email with the following:
- Your name
- Your job title
- The volunteer position you're inquiring about
- Qualifications or experience you may have that relate to the position
Communications Committee
Copywriter
Write snappy copy for event communications, blog posts, social media posts and other communication needs. Apply now
Art Designer
Design graphics and logos, and choose images for event communications. Layout newsletters and other advertisements. Apply now
Communications Liaison
Serve as the go-between of the Communications Director and the Seattle American Advertising Awards (ADDY) creative team. Determine and execute a communications plan for the awards show. Manage the communications schedule and advise on communication capabilities within the club. Position duration is September-March. Apply now
ADDYs Committee
Commitment: 2-3 meetings/week depending on action items. Meetings last 30 minutes-1 hour. Position duration is September-March depending on volunteer role.
Competition Committee Volunteer
Call for entries through judging. Will identify and target companies to enter competition, manage collection of entries, sort entries for judging and coordinate judging day, including laying out work to be judged. Apply now
Judging Coordinator
Help Judging Chair recruit some of the best creative minds in the US. Coordinate travel, lodging, dinners and social events. Apply now
Creative Director
Responsible for concepting theme carried out through communications, print and digital materials, and the show. Apply now
Awards Show Coordinator
Acts as a liaison between the venue and the committee, negotiates rentals and F&B. Apply now
Sponsorship Committee
Sponsor Liaison
Serve as the go-between of the Sponsorship Director and the Seattle American Advertising Awards (ADDY) committee. Pursue cash sponsors for food and beverages, as well as in-kind sponsors for wine, beer and liquor. Position duration is September-March. Apply now
Seeking Board Members
Each year at this time, our board goes through a transformation process as some directors move on to new challenges, and new faces arrive to take their place. We know who's leaving, but we need to find the brave souls who are ready to step up and do the job.
Our openings for the 2014-2015 board year include the following positions:
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Membership
- Communications
- Government Relations
- Education
- Diversity
If you're interested, first read the position description, then fill out and submit your application before Monday, June 16th, when we'll review all submissions and contact interested parties.
Board Position Descriptions (.pdf)
Board Application (.dotx)
Nominations will be announced Friday, June 20th and submitted to AAF Seattle's membership for approval. A member-approved slate of directors will be announced to the public on Friday, June 27th.
ADmerica! 2014: Board Members Look Back
We sent a team of devoted board members to brave the sunshine, beaches and freezing conference rooms at the American Advertising Federation's national conference, ADmerica!, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, May 28 - June 1.
We've asked them to recount their experiences from the trip. No conference or meeting recaps, just personal takeaways. We'll be adding their reports to this post as they come in.
Kirsten Martin, Sponsorship Chair:
ADmerica was a whirlwind – high energy, great contacts, and a chance to learn something new at every turn.
Best part of the weekend? It’s a tie between a wickedly entertaining (and informative) keynote by David “Shingy” Shing, AOL’s digital prophet, and the inspired efforts of student teams across the country reimagining the Mark Kay brand for millennials. Hobnobbing with industry and AAF leaders, and sharing in their work, at ADmerica has only reinforced my passion for what we do.
I left Boca Raton with a sunburn, a new appreciation for humidity, and a rash of new, far-flung professional relationships I’ll nurture in the years to come.
AAF Seattle board members (L-R) Audrey Berglund (ADDYs), Kirsten Martin (Sponsorship), and Renee Peterson (President)
Martin McGee, Vice President & Treasurer
From the sessions on club management to networking with advertising professionals from around the country, the ADmerica! conference in Boca Raton, Florida, was once again an inspiring and informative experience. As incoming President for AAF Seattle, I was particularly drawn to programming around improving club operations and how we can better serve our members, including developing and maintaining a strategic plan, a key factor to ongoing club success.
And, of course, it was great to see all of the award-winning advertising work, including several entries from Seattle, at the national American Advertising Awards Show.
AAF Seattle board members show their District XI spirit. (L-R) Audrey Berglund (ADDYs), Kirsten Martin (Sponsorship), Renee Peterson (President), Christine Gammill (District XI Governor), and Martin McGee (VP/Treasurer).
AAF Seattle Update: Creature Introduces James Keblas
When Creature announced they'd be doing a press conference from the steps of Seattle's City Hall at noon today, we knew we had to be there to cover it.
Aside from the obvious news they'd be hiring James Keblas to do something cool (turns out he'll be their new president), the chutzpah of thanking the mayor for firing him signaled the event would go off with Creature's trademark quirky style.
When this kind of interest becomes standard expectation for your brand, you know you're doing it right. Find out more about great branding at our next event, Market Insights: Distilling a Brand on June 19th.
Audio post-conference interview:
Market Insights - New Name, Refined Offering
You may have noticed a slight change in the name of our panel and speaker-focused events. What used to be called our Speaker Series is now Market Insights. The spark came from our new ongoing venue for these events, the Pike Place Market Atrium Loft. Get it: educational events at the market, about marketing topics… I know, right?
But seriously folks… what started as a pun actually represents an upgrade in the perceived offering, from a slightly vague speaker event to more specific and relevant educational content.
This also allows us to consolidate from individual event-specific hashtags to one hashtag, #AAFInsights, that will span all the Market Insights events, providing an ongoing repository of social content from the series, including all the tweeted nuggets of wisdom from our speakers.
We're thankful for the great crowds at our events who inspire us to always look for ways to improve.
Don't miss our next Market Insights event, Distilling a Brand, June 19th.
Newsletter Launches, but What Do We Call It?
Last week we launched our monthly newsletter all about what's happened with AAF Seattle over the past month, what's currently going on, and what's coming up, written in quickly scannable bits so you can feel briefed while giving you the option to click for more information.
Sign up for the newsletter here (or in the sidebar on this page).
One thing we need is a smart name that reflects the newsletter's content and conveys our tone of clever wit while maintaining some level of professionalism. Not so easy, right?
So we thought we'd open it up to our readers to send in their suggestions and vote. Whoever submits the winning idea will receive free admission for two to our next Speaker Series event.
Your 2014 Board of Directors
At the end of every board year we reflect on our successes and thank those responsible. We aspire to reach our community and to advance the club farther than it's ever been, and it takes a lot of work by a dedicated crew.
As much fun as we have doing what we do, some board members eventually move on, so we shake their hands for a job well done, smack them on the rear, send them on their way and welcome their oh-so-innocent replacements (muah ha haaaa).
Because of our growth in membership and responsibilities, we're expanding to include roles we haven't had in recent years indicated below in bold, and new board members, indicated below with an asterisk.
Please welcome your 2014 Board of Directors!
Renee Peterson - President
Martin McGee - Treasurer, Vice President
Ashley Ernst* - Secretary
Julia Allen - Membership Director
George Riddell - Public Service Director
Charlotte Boutz* - Programs Director
Luis Antezana - Director of Communications
Kirsten Martin* - Sponsorship Director
Audrey Berglund* - ADDY Awards Director
Ha Na Park* - Diversity & Multiculturalism Director
Eli Martin* - Ad2 Director
And finally, we'd like to thank the following exiting directors for their service:
Heather Simmonsen - Membership Director
Greg Tranum - Sponsorship Director
Victoria Ostrovskaya - Programs Co-Director
Meghan Ragsdale - Programs Co-Director
We'd sign your yearbooks if we had them!
Our board members are all awesomely skilled but even they can't do their jobs alone. If you'd like to be part of a committee or volunteer at an event, please contact info@aafseattle.com. It's a great way to get your foot in the door of a really cool club.
Seattle Represents at ADmerica 2013
The American Advertising Federation's national conference, also known as ADmerica!, was held June 5-8 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. AAF Seattle board members Renee Peterson, George Riddell, Martin McGee, Luis Antezana, and Audrey Berglund represented our club, which won a Club Achievement Award for winning the Division III ADDY Challenge. Our own George Riddell impressed while performing his duties as National ADDY Chair. And Eric Weaver of Spring Creek Group led a panel of experts in the social media panel. All in all a tremendous few days of learning and interacting with our AAF brethren from District 11, Western Region, and around the nation.
The National ADDY Awards were held June 8th, with Keith Rivers and Eli Martin of Workhouse Creative, Keith Goldberg of Rally, and GreenRubino in the house to pick up their National ADDY Awards. Creature, Wong, Doody, Crandall, Weiner and Cole & Weber United also won National ADDYs for their work. Full list of winners here.
A few words from George Riddell, Secretary and National ADDY Chair, about his experience:
ADmerica was especially gratifying for me this year because of the large AAF Seattle contingent that attended the conference. Having such strong Ad Club representation meant that more club leaders are gaining the benefit of networking with clubs from other markets, and participating in professional development programs offered by the AAF. The group also spent time together looking ahead to the coming year for AAF Seattle. The experience should provide great momentum for an exciting year of Ad Club activities in Seattle.
Martin McGee, Treasurer and Vice-President:
One of the sessions I attended at the AAF National Conference focused on one of the key benefits AAF provides to our members and the advertising industry in general -- Government Affairs. AAF champions causes at the local, state and federal level that impact advertising including the critical issue of allowing advertising services to remain tax deductible as a business expense. Various clubs around the country presented ideas they implemented to work with elected officials both during their campaign and while in office. AAF Seattle will be exploring ways to apply some of these ideas to our region in the future.
From Luis Antezana, Director of Communications:
This being my first AAF national conference, I was impressed by the breadth of the community of creative professionals that care so much about the health of our industry and work to ensure its viability and high standards. This organization works more in the background than they probably realize, as I had no idea all that was involved in what they do. As would be expected, along with a lot of work came a decent bit of fun after hours, sealing new and old relationships. I was proud to represent our city and our club, to have our board make a great showing, and to have so many agency people along with us. The members of AAF Seattle should know we stack up well against any other city!
Check out AAF National's ADmerica photo set for more pics from the big event.
Under Construction
Welcome to the shell of our new website. It's clearly not ready but we just got so dang sick of the old site we couldn't take it anymore.
It's raw and unfinished. The colors are off-brand. We know. Don't judge. Let's just pretend it's cute in the meantime and then we'll never speak of this again.
The good part is we'll be making lots of frequent changes. So check back in to see our progress. We're going to try to impress you.
In the meantime, enjoy the lo-fi. Try not to get too attached.
Ad Club Seattle rebrands as AAF Seattle
Back sometime in late 2011, when the American Advertising Federation suggested all affiliate clubs adopt their naming system, Ad Club Seattle saw that as a great opportunity. We didn't just rename, we rebranded and rededicated ourselves to connecting our members and sponsors with creativity everywhere it exists in Seattle, not just in the ad business.
At the same time, we've been Ad Club Seattle since 1909. So while we'll call ourselves AAF Seattle, we'll still answer to Ad Club Seattle. Or Big Papa.